Things did not work out for Antony at Manchester United, but it could have all been very different in his career as he came ‘very close’ to signing for Liverpool.
The Brazilian joined the Red Devils from Ajax in 2022 in a deal which was worth an initial £82m.
It was an eye-catching sum of money for a player with limited experience and it turned out to be a very expensive misstep from Manchester United.
He actually made a pretty bright start, but that quickly tailed off and he fell down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag and then was not really in Ruben Amorim’s plans.
The Brazil winger is now on loan at Real Betis where he is enjoying himselfmuch more and playing well again in new surroundings.
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How different could his career had been, though, if Mohamed Salah had not signed a new Liverpool contract in 2022.
There was concern at Anfield that the Egyptian was going to leave that summer but instead he inked a new deal.
In preparation for a possible departure, the Reds had looked at Antony, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly impressed by him at Ajax.
The on loan Betis star says this was the case and that he came ‘very close’ to a Liverpool move, but the rest is history.
‘True.. I was very close to signing for Liverpool, but you never know what would have happened,’ Antony told Koora. ‘In the end, I went to Manchester and had great moments there, and that was a good choice as well.’
Antony’s agent Junior Pedroso has spoken of the situation in the past, telling winwin.com: ‘Yes, this story has a basis in truth.
‘Salah renewed his contract at the time with Liverpool, and that made Antony’s move to Liverpool impossible.’
Asked about his move to Manchester United and if he struggled to deal with the pressure of the Premier League and his enormous price tag, Antony said neither caused him a problem.
‘Pressure is a natural part of footballers’ lives, and we have to know how to deal with it, whether it is criticism or praise,’ he said.
‘I know the amount they paid for me. I have worked and continue to work hard to perform at a high level, but I do not focus on transfer prices. Not on my deal or on any other player.’
He added of his move to Spain: ‘When I made the decision to come here, it was to find myself again.
‘There is always pressure, but the biggest pressure I experienced was in the favelas of Brazil, thinking about my family and everything.’
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